Ghana Rejects US Health Deal

Ghana has rejected a proposed health deal with the United States, valued at approximately $300 million, over significant concerns regarding data privacy and national sovereignty. The deal, part of the Donald Trump administration's 'America First Global Health Strategy,' would have granted United States entities extensive access to Ghana's sensitive health data without adequate safeguards or prior approval from Ghana. Arnold Kavaarpuo, executive director of the Ghana — Data Protection Commission (Ghana), stated that the requested data access went 'far beyond what would typically be required' and would have effectively outsourced Ghana's health data architecture to a foreign body. Ghana has communicated its decision to the United States and is seeking improved conditions for a new agreement. This rejection follows similar actions by Zimbabwe and concerns raised by Zambia and Kenya regarding their respective deals, highlighting a broader trend among African nations to push back against terms perceived as infringing on data privacy and national control. The United States — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director General Jean Kaseya has also voiced 'huge concerns' about data sharing in these agreements.